WRITING THE WORLD CUP

A classroom writing activity for use

alongside Alan Gibbons’ book,

Being Rooney

Writing activity concept by Alan Gibbons

SPORT WRITING

First, some principles:

• Show, don’t tell. Writing isn’t about making a list of chronological events. It is about using interesting words to make a picture in the reader’s mind. It’s not what you tell them. It’s how you tell them.

• Tension. Don’t give things away too soon. Show the build up. Get the reader on the edge of his or her seat. Make them hungry for the rest of the story.

OK, you’re good to go.

Step

Choose your team.

• Include yourself in a key position next to Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard.

Choose your opponents.

• Is it Brazil or Germany, Argentina or Spain? Or, if you are Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish, are you up against the old foe, England?

STEP ONE

Step

Build up. You are in the changing room.

• Describe the roar of the crowd, the rituals of your team mates, the banter. Who is quiet? Who is saying a few inspirational words?

• Describe the dialogue. What does the manager say to inspire the team?

• Finally, how are you feeling? Is your heart pounding? Do your legs feel like water?

STEP TWO

Step

Describe the walk down the tunnel.

• Do you notice the clatter of studs on concrete, the glances between the opposing teams?

Describe the walk onto the pitch.

• Can you hear the sound of the crowd? Can you see the riot of colour?

STEP THREE

Step

Describe the ebb and flow of the match.

• Tell us about the tackles, the shots, the goals. Make the reader feel your boot against the ball, the turf as you slide in, the slap of ball against net.

• Describe the celebrations, your teammates engulfing you after you score.

• Most of all, describe your emotions.

STEP 4

Step

Now describe the elation as you lift the Jules Rimet trophy, the victory parade around the pitch, the after-match interviews.

STEP FIVE